Combination ash receptacle and flexible cover



Dec. 30, 19.41. J. c. HiNKLE COMBINATION ASH RECEPTACLE AND FLEXIBLE COVER Filed June '7, 1939 Patented Dec. 30, 1941 5 PATENT" OFFICE COMBINATIONASH RECEPTACLE AND a l l FLEXIBLE COVER James Carl Hinkle, Huntington Park, Calif. Application June 7, 1939, Serial No. 277,759

, 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ash receptacles and flexible covers and. more pare ticularlyfto the same for cigarette smokers.

The main. object of the invention is to provide an ash receptacle and fiexible cover of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in use and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description;

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout,

Fig. 1 is a front view of the improved receptacle,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a top sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig, 2,

Fig. 4 is a top View showing the flexible cover in a partially. opened position and being operated by the thumb and forefinger of the left hand.

, In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 denotes the hollowed, spherical-shaped, flexible cover having four fixed rib-like projections 6-6, l and 8, formed uponthe outer surface, an elongated, normally-closed, opening or slit 9, two tubular snufiers, Ill-l inserted through cover at l l-l l and a centrally located circular aperture l2, through which is inserted the dish-shaped receptacle I3.

The ash receptacle l3 and base M are formed of sheet metal and spot-welded together at I 5, after which flexible cover 5 is stretched over receptacle l3 in such manner as to provide substantially air-tightyet detachable engagement with surface 16.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Place the thumb and forefinger at the extremities of slit ,9 and apply pressure in the direction of the arrows, as illustrated in Fig. 4, which causes the cover to open to admit the contents which fall into the metal receptacle I3, below, Upon removal of the pressure the cover closes, restricting the air-supply and extinguishing the burning objects as well as retaining the r smoke and odor and excluding the debris from view. If not desirable to open the cover, the stubs may be inserted into snuffers Ill-l0, using the stubs to seal the device. Previous stubs may be pushed through the snuii'ers and into the inner chamber with following stubs, thus keeping the ,device sealed at all times.

For the purpose of fully illustrating the usefulness of the fixed rib-like projections 6-6, 1 and -8.and, especially, the particular combination of ribs 66, receptacle l3 and base M the following explanation may be of use. I

Certain strains or stresses are produced in the material of flexible cover 5 during the moulding, or by the moulding process, which are partially relieved by cutting slit 9 and which are further relieved by use and deterioration, thus preventing the proper and emcient closing of slit 9 at any time, thus rendering the device useless. Fixed rib-like projections 6-6, beginning near the center of the outer circumference, extending downwardly to and bearing upon opposite sides of base I4, as shown at l'l-l'l, flex 'and reflex with eachopening and closing of slit 9. The pressure of these ribs bearing upon the base l4 and backed by the outer surface I 6 of receptacle l3, exert an upwardly and inwardly pressure to the upper half-portions of cover 5, resulting in the proper and efiicient closing and sealing of slit 9 at all times. This closing feature may be accomplished by the use of springs or other improvised means but these add to the cost and are not satisfactory or reliable in use.

Rib-like projection 1, running in parallel relation to and surrounding slit 9 is for the purpose of causing the upper half-portions of the cover to properly align themselves when closing. Otherwise, unless the operator applies the pressure at the exact extremities of slit 9 and in the direction of the arrows as previously explained and illustrated in Fig. 4, the edges of slit 8 will not align themselves resulting in an unsightly Whopper-jawed appearance aswell as improper sealing.

The function of rib-like projection 8, running entirely around the outer circumference at the center will now be explained. When a burning object, such as the lighted stub of a cigarette, is dropped into the device and the device closed, the available supply of oxygen is quickly consumed and burning object extinguished, but in the meantime, other gases are formed raising the temperature of the inner chamber slightly but sufilciently to create a partial vacuum therein, when these gases cool or condense, with the result that when additional outside pressure is applied as at the extremities of slit 9, to open the device, these points partially collapse resulting in a very sudden opening of slit 9,,a sudden inrush of outside air causing an undesirable back-splash of, ashes and other debris. Riblike projection 8 is for the purpose of reinforcing the cover at this point and in relation to the surrounding material and prevent collapse at points of opening-pressure, insuring the proper opening of slit 9, and to give an additional springing action to cover 5.

The above condition does not occur when snuffers lO-lll are used in combination with flexible cover 5, but it is understood that the device may be made and used without the snuffers as well as other changes in size or shape without departing from the spirit of the invention receptacle and the inner surface of said cover, said cover having two fixed rib-like projections on sides opposite each other and formed upon the outer surface thereof, said projections beginning near the horizontal equator of the cover and extending downwardly to and bearing upon opposite sides of said base.

2. In an ash receiver, a base, an ash receptacle in the form of a hollow segment of a sphere, the receptacle making a substantially sharp angle with the base, and a resilient cover mainly in the form of a hollow sphere, the cover substantionally conforming with the outer surface of the ashreceptacle and having a portion thereof disposed in' said angle between the receptacle and the base, the relative sharpness of the angle and the resilience of the material tending to maintain said portion of the cover in said angle, the upper portion of the cover having a slit that is normally closed, the slit being arranged to be opened by pressing the cover adjacent the ends of the slit, the receptacle resisting'inward pressing of the portion of the cover opposite the receptacle, whereby to aid the cover in resuming its original shape when the pressing is released.

JAMES CARL HINKLE. 

